Laboratory for Validation & Verification

The University of Sheffield sought to establish a national centre of excellence for structural dynamics research, enhancing its capabilities in infrastructure resilience and engineering innovation. The challenge was to design and construct a highly specialised research facility that could accommodate large-scale engineering activities, specialist equipment, and sensitive structural dynamics testing. A critical aspect was mitigating internal and external vibrations—especially with the future arrival of HS2—to ensure the integrity of advanced research experiments.

G&T provided expert Project Management services, playing a key role in defining the vibration performance criteria of the structure. The facility features large open workspaces for specialist equipment, flexible engineering areas, and dedicated office accommodation to support research teams. A key element is a 6m deep pit housing a shaker table, allowing researchers to model earthquake and resonance activities. we worked closely with the design and engineering teams to implement structural solutions that eliminate interference from external vibrations, ensuring the research environment remains stable and future-proofed.

The completed facility provides the University of Sheffield with a cutting-edge environment for structural dynamics research, reinforcing its position as a leader in engineering innovation. The vibration mitigation measures implemented by G&T safeguard the integrity of experiments, allowing for world-class research into the performance of infrastructure under dynamic conditions. The centre is now a critical resource for industry collaboration, contributing to advancements in engineering resilience and infrastructure development.